A Calling
I am a reformed higher education workaholic who saw the light when I stepped into the world of coaching...
I come to coaching with a wealth of life experiences: as a mother, daughter, grandmother, immigrant, manager, leader, higher education professional, board member, gardener, diabetic and coachee.
Each of these experiences has developed my ability to listen and empathise and to support my clients without judgement or preconceived ideas about what might be best for them.
I arrived on the shores of Aoteaora in 1990 with my husband, two small children and six suitcases, desperately needing a job. A lucky connection brought me work in the office of an art school. It was a job that launched my accidental career as a professional in tertiary education. I progressed from a receptionist to an administrator, then to a manager and finally I became an executive leader in a large, complex university.
This was a rewarding career with many accolades and promotions. However, after 25 years of hard work, something was missing. I no longer had any spark of joy or energy. Then I had the opportunity to work with a coach. The experience was life-changing. Coaching helped me to shift my mindset, and acknowledge how much I loved my job, and why I loved it. It was the people, always the people. I loved working alongside a wonderfully diverse group of talented individuals, and watching them develop and grow.
This insight triggered my passion for coaching. After completing my training and gaining accreditation with the International Coaching Federation, I realised that the time was right to step out of my career as a higher education professional and step into the world as a professional coach.
As a professional coach I have expanded this network of wonderfully diverse and talented colleagues to clients, coaches and tertiary education professionals from across the globe. I do this from the peace and serenity of my home on a small motu (island), Waiheke, a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland CBD. It is truly a priviledge to live here. From my desk I look out at trees bursting with kākā and tui, native birds of Aotearoa. My coaching journey brought me here. Where will yours take you?
My Coaching Journey
My Coaching Philosophy
A Partnership Rooted in Empathy and Growth
I find immeasurable joy in the art of coaching—it is a dance of mutual learning and growth. Each person brings a unique world of experiences, ambitions, and potential, to their coaching sessions and I’m deeply committed to nurturing this uniqueness.
My approach is to create a safe, confidential, and empowering space—a sanctuary where you take the lead. Your aspirations, thoughts, and beliefs guide our journey, and illuminate the paths to your goals. Together, we explore these paths, and with every conversation, and every insight, we aim not just to reach your goals but to expand your horizons.
A Space of Safety and Exploration
Bound by the International Coaching Federation Code of Ethics, I hold integrity, confidentiality, and respect at the core of my practice. My methodology is framed by the International Coaching Federation's Core Competencies and by my dedication to personal and professional evolution.
Ethics, Integrity, and Beyond
Our work together transcends personal growth and becomes a shared journey towards collective well-being. Individual empowerment fosters social and environmental wellness, with every step of our personal evolution contributing to a broader positive impact of compassionate, sustainable, and holistic communal progress.
A Journey of Collective Evolution
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Sophie combines three decades of leadership experience with her coaching expertise, to bring a personal touch to each coaching journey
As an executive and leadership coach I work with professionals in all walks of life as they navigate daily challenges in the workplace and beyond. Our coaching sessions offer a confidential, safe and empathetic space where deep listening, incisive questions and reflective inquiry are designed to spark moments of self-discovery. Together, we open up a new world of possibilities about what your next steps might be.
I am an Associate Certified Coach accredited by the International Coaching Federation. Many of my clients work in tertiary education and I stay connected to the sector through my work with the Association of Tertiary Education Management (ATEM), the Australasian professional body representing and supporting the career development of education administrators and managers, and membership of the UK Association of Higher Education Professionals (AHEP).
